MINI BIO

Donald took up farming after completing school.
When World War I broke out, he carried on farming for a year, then sold his farm and volunteered for the NZEF.
He arrived at Egypt Jan 16, was assigned to 2nd Battalion, Otago Infantry Regiment and by May was on the Western Front.
Now a Sergeant, during the Battle of Flers-Courcelette (15 Sep), his company came under intense fire inflicting many casualties. Brown's company lost 123 men from its initial complement of 180 during the opening day of the battle.
Back in the line 1 October, he moved forward on his own attacking a machine gun post.  This allowed allowed his fellow troops to attack and capture the strongpoint.
During this attack, Brown was shot in the head by a sniper and killed instantly.
Donald’s company commander recommended him for a DCM for his actions on 15 Sep, his battalion commander wrote to Donald’s father indicating that he had hoped that the recommendation would be upgraded to a Victoria Cross.  
However, with Donald’s death it was not until the officers of his battalion started agitating for a VC nomination that progress was made.
The award of the Victoria Cross to Brown was the first to an NZEF soldier on the Western Front.

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LONDON GAZETTE

No. 30130

12 June 1917

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For most conspicuous bravery and determination in attack when the company to which he belonged suffered very heavy casualties in officers and men from machine gun fire.

At great personal risk this N.C.O. advanced with a comrade and succeeded in reaching a point within thirty yards of the enemy guns. Four of the gun crew were killed and the gun captured.

The advance of the company was continued till it was again held up by machine gun fire. Again Sjt. Brown and his comrade with great gallantry rushed the gun and killed the crew. After this second position had been won, the company came under very heavy shell fire, and the utter contempt for danger and coolness under fire of this N.C.O. did much to keep up the spirit of his men.

On a subsequent occasion in attack, Sjt Brown showed most conspicuous gallantry. He attacked singlehanded a machine gun which was holding up the attack, killed the gun crew, and captured the gun. Later, while sniping the retreating enemy, this very gallant soldier was killed.